JB MDL first responders save life

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, UNITED STATES

06.06.2013

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst emergency service professionals and 87th Force Support Squadron Griffith Field House staff worked together to save a man’s life May 20, 2013.

Emergency medical technicians responded to a call from Griffith Field House where Scott Webring, retired Army master sergeant, went into cardiac arrest and began seizing while stretching in the cardio room at 10:45 a.m.

Eva Coberly, Griffith Field House patron, witnessed Webring collapse and immediately notified Griffith Field House staff for assistance.

Army Master Sgt. Robert Ravert, 27th Infantry Brigade combat team infantryman from Syracuse, N.Y., was in the cardio room at the time of the incident and, upon seeing Webring fall and begin to seize, eased him onto his side.

“We heard our massage therapist screaming for help and immediately grabbed the first-aid kit,” said Krystal Martinez, 87th FSS recreation assistant. “It was such an unexpected occurrence. We prepare for things like this, but never anticipate it.”

O’Donnell called 911 while Brady began to perform CPR and gave Webring two rescue breaths after which Ravert began chest compressions.

“Early CPR with a victim is imperative in the chain of survival,” said Fire Capt. David Harris, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services paramedic. “A victim’s heart quivers and twitches during cardiac arrest, therefore it cannot pump blood effectively through the body. CPR keeps blood flowing to the heart, brain and throughout the body sustaining life until an automated external defibrillator, or other advanced medical care, is available.”

Brady began preparing the AED upon observing no improvement after CPR.

Autumn Maggee, 87th FSS massage therapist, removed Webring’s shirt and scanned his body for patches and jewelry to prepare for defibrillation. The AED indicated a shock was necessary upon analyzing Webring’s heart rate so Ravert pressed the shock button. The shock resulted with no positive results so Brady and Ravert resumed CPR.

The AED indicated a second shock was necessary so Brady pushed the button to administer a second shock. Brady and Ravert resumed CPR and observed the AED established the victim’s pulse requiring no further shocks.

“Crista was the instructor for the CPR course,” said Martinez. “She was also the one who saved the victim’s life.”

Brady and Ravert continued CPR until an EMT arrived approximately four minutes after the victim fell.

An 87th Medical Group paramedic took over compression of the victim’s chest while Brady continued giving the victim breaths. The paramedic set up a bag valve to facilitate Webring’s breathing and moved him to a gurney. Deborah paramedics took over CPR completely at that point and transported Webring to Deborah Hospital.

Matt Oullette, 87th FSS employee, recovered the victim’s wallet from the locker room and turned his ID over to joint base police officers. The police communicated the victim’s name to the ambulance transporting him and contacted his wife at approximately 11:45 a.m.

An EMT professional returned to Griffith Field House approximately 1 p.m. to notify the staff that Webring was walking and in a stable condition.

“It’s extremely easy to get CPR certified,” said Harris. “Learning CPR could save someone’s life whether it’s a family member’s or a bystander’s.”

Active-duty and civilian military personnel can call 754-9394 to sign up for free CPR classes. Availability in the class is based on a first-come-first-serve basis.